Cisternerne

Jeppe Hein: In is the only way out

15. April 2018 - 30. November 2018

In 2018, the exhibition was created by the internationally renowned artist Jeppe Hein, who invited his audience on an inner journey into the labyrinthic colonnades of Cisternerne.

Jeppe Hein is well-known for his interactive and playful sculptures and art installations, installed all over the world, among these his mirror labyrinths and water pavilions and his series of Modified Social Benches which challenges our way of being together. A prominent characteristic of Hein’s artworks is that they are not complete until they meet their audience. You are always invited to participate.

The sound of Tibetan singingbowls Photo: Anders Sune Berg

IN IS THE ONLY WAY OUT was an immense installation taking up the 4320 m2 of Cisternerne and inviting the visitor onto an underground journey from darkness into the light, on the way experiencing both challenges, surprises and disorientation.

The cold and moist climate of Cisternerne sharpens your senses and insists that you are present in the now. In the same way, Hein’s artworks enable visitors to feel: I am right here right now.

In the first room, the underground stillness was torn by the violent sound of a flame activated by the visitors. When moving deeper into the underground the visitor was met by a series of round, rotating mirrors which heightened the sense of disorientation found among the dark colonnades.

Deepest within Cisternerne, a concert took place. Every visitor activated a sensor sending a ball on a dynamic route through the colonnades where it hit Tibetan singing bowls on its way. The more visitors that were present in the room, the more tones sounded. The tunes connected the visitors who, unconsciously, created music together.

With this exhibition, the artist unfolded his belief in the necessity of confronting and overcoming the darkness to be able to experience the light: IN IS THE ONLY WAY OUT.

About the artist

Jeppe Hein (b. 1974) lives and works in Berlin. He was trained as a carpenter and later graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (1997) and Städelschule – State Academy of Fine Arts in Frankfurt am Main (1999). Through the last two decades he has been placed as a highly recognized artist, exhibiting and installing his artworks all over the world.

Thanks to

Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond, Augustinus Fonden, Beckett-Fonden, Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, Det Obelske Familiefond, Frederiksberg Fonden, Frederiksberg Kommune, Galleri Nicolai Wallner, Grosserer L. F. Foghts Fond, Hotel Alexandra, Knud Højgaards Fond, Overretssagfører L. Zeuthens Mindelegat, Statens Kunstfond